Quotes

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

“Whenever one of us becomes increasingly religious his first priority becomes correcting other people. This similitude is that of a person with lethal cancer who is worried about some one else’s common cold. One who himself is severly afflicted (with muhlekat-e-nafs) never cares about other’s minor aliment. The problem is that we do not know our diseases as yet. Once we find out the deadly diagnosis all of these sermons for-others, hurting comments, slander and back-biting will disappear.” [Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib db]



Awza`i said, ‘`Umar ibn `Abd al-`Aziz wrote to us, ‘Whoever is frequent in remembering death is content with but a little of this world. And whoever counts his speech from his actions speaks little except in that which benefits him.'’ [Mulla Ali al-Qari, Mirqat al-Mafatih, 8: 585 #4840]



One of our predecessors said, ‘By God! A servant, if truthful to God, will always love to pass unnoticed.’ Another has said, ‘I have never known a man to wish to become known but that his religion quit him and he became exposed.‘



Poem by Abu Hanifa: Whoever strives for knowledge for the life to come obtains great gain in righteousness. But he is in utter loss who seeks [knowledge] to obtain an advantage over people!




Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim al-Qushayrī—may Allāh bless his soul—said:



Mahabba (love) is a condition which man feels in his heart, too subtle to be expressed in words. This subtle spiritual state leads the worshipper to recognize the greatness of God, instills in him the desire, above all things, to please God, makes him unable to tolerate God’s absence, induces in him constant excitement at the thought of God; he finds no rest without God and feels an intimate comfort in continual thought of Him. Yet the idea of the love of man for God does not imply physical attraction and possession. How could it do so—since the true Infinite is too holy to be fully attained or reached or comprehended. It is more to the point to describe the man who knows mahabba as being completely lost and overwhelmed in the beloved, than to refer to the relationship as one of possession. If the lover were described as submerged in the beloved, it would be more adequate than if they were described as being together.

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:



"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:

Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,

Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."

[Ahmad]

Lowering the gaze to prevent desire

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Lowering the gaze to prevent desire

"And warn them of the day that is drawing near (the Day of Resurrection), when the hearts will be choking the throats, and they can neither return them (hearts) to their chests nor can they throw them out. There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Oppressors, who could be given heed to. Allah (SWT) knows the treachery of the eyes and all that the hearts conceal." (Surah Ghaafir: Ayah 19)

One of the major poisons of the heart is the unrestrained glance towards the opposite sex. This results in the one who looks becoming attracted to what he sees, and in the imprinting of an image of what he sees in his heart. This can result in several kinds of corruption in the heart of the servant. Allah (SWT) commands:

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and protect their private parts. This is more purer for them. Indeed Allah is Well-Aware of what they do." (Surah Nur: 30)

"And those who guard their private parts save from their wives and those whom their right-hands own - so there is no blame upon them. Then whoever seeks beyond that (which is lawful), they are the transgressors." (Surah Al Mu'minoon : Verse 5 & 6)

Indeed the protection against carnal desires is in taqwaa (consciousness of Allah (SWT)) as was summarised by an Arab poet in the following couplet:

"Whenever you pass time any day do not say," I have passed time," but rather say, "Upon me is an observer," (i.e. Allah).

Never regard Allah to be unmindful for even a short while. That which is hidden never vanishes from His Sight."

Letting the gaze run loose also makes the heart blind to distinguishing between truth and falsehood, between the sunnah and innovation: while lowering it for Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, gives it a penetrating, true and distinguishing insight. A righteous man once said: Whoever enriches his outward behaviour by following the sunnah, and makes his inward soul wealthy through contemplation, and averts his gaze away from looking at what is forbidden, and avoids anything of a doubtful nature, and feeds solely on what is halal- his inner sight will never falter.

Ibne Qayyim (rh) writes: "The gaze is the prowler and the messenger of desires. It's protection is, in reality, the protection of the private-parts. The person who does not control his gaze throws himself into the places of destruction. Allah (SWT) has made the eyes the mirror of the heart.

Benefits of lowering the gaze

Rasoolillah(SAW) said "The glance is a poisoned arrow of shaytaan. Whoever lowers his gaze for Allah, He will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness, which he will find in his heart on the day he meets Him." [Mishkat]

Shaytan enters with the glance, for he travels with it, faster then the wind blowing through an empty place. He makes what is seen appear more beautiful then it really is, and transforms it in to an idol for the heart to worship. Then he promises it false rewards, lights the fire of desires within it, and fuels it with the wood of forbidden actions, which the servant would not have committed had it not been for this distorted image.

This distracts the heart and makes it forget its more important concerns. It stands between it and them; and so the heart loses it’s straight path and falls into the pit of desire and ignorance. Allah, Mighty and Glorious is He, says:

And do not obey anyone whose heart We have made forgetful in remembering Us – who follows his own desires, and whose affair has exceeded all bounds. [Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 28]

The unrestrained gaze causes all three afflictions. It has been said that between the eye and the heart is an immediate connection; if the eyes are corrupted, then the heart follows. It becomes like a rubbish heap where all the dirt and filth and rottenness collect, and so there is no room for love for Allah, relating all matters to Him, awareness of being in His presence, and feeling joy at His proximity - only the opposite of these things can inhabit such a heart.

Staring and gazing without restraint is disobedience to Allah:

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that is more purifying for them. Surely Allah is aware of what they do. [Surah an-Nur: Ayah 30]

Rasoolillah(SAW) also said "Allah (SWT) has cursed the person who looks at a non-mahram woman and the woman who is looked upon." [Mishkat]. Only the one who obeys Allah’s commands is content in this world, and only the servant who obeys Allah will survive in the next world.

Furthermore, letting the gaze roam free cloaks the heart with darkness,. Just as lowering the gaze for Allah clothes it in light. After the above ayah, Allah, the Glorious and Mighty, says in the same Surah of the Qur'an:

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; the likeness of His light is as if there were a niche, and in the niche is a lamp, and in the lamp is a glass, and the glass is as it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides whomsoever He wants to His light. Allah strikes metaphors for man: and Allah knows all things. [Surah an-Nur: Ayah 35]

When the heart is a light, countless good comes to it from all directions. If it is dark, then clouds of evil and afflictions come from all directions to cover it up.

Rasoolillah (SAW) said, “indeed you will not leave anything for the sake of Allaah except that Allaah will replace it with something better than it.” [Ahmad]

Seeds of desire planted by Shaytan

It is known that actions are originally thoughts which occur in the mind. These thoughts then turn into desires. Thereafter, these desires become firm intentions and, finally, these firm intentions are transformed into actions. From this you could conclude the importance of thoughts. If there is correctness of thoughts then desires and actions will be correct and, similarly, if there is corruption in thoughts then this will lead to evil desires and actions. According to a hadith, Allah (SWT) overlooks thoughts as long as these thoughts are not given practical expression.

There are five stages in thoughts viz.

- Haajis - This is a thought which in the beginning produces no reaction in the nafs.

- Khaatir - If one fails to eliminate the haajis thought and it establishes it's presence in the nafs but the nafs does not give it practical expression then this thought enters the Khaatir stage.

- Hadeethun nafs - In this stage the nafs ponders whether it should put into action or negate the thought which has established itself without giving preference to any side.



NB. The law regarding these three stages is that there is no punishment if the thought is evil and no reward if the thought is good.

- Hamm - In this stage the nafs partially inclines to one side (i.e. whether to commit or shun the act). In this stage reward is given if the thought is good and punishment if evil.

- 'Azm - In this stage a decision is made to give practical expression. Reward and punishment are applicable to this stage as well.

When the desires become uncontrollable they cause one to perpetuate some of the most heinous sins. It has been related by Hasan bin Arfah that Rasoolillah(SAW) said: "Seven persons are such that Allah will not look at them on the Day of Qiyaamah nor will He purify them nor will He include them amongst the learned and Allah will enter them into Jahannum. They will enter Jahannum first except for those who repent. As for those who repent Allah will accept their repentence.

A person who masturbates.

A person who performs the act of sodomy.

The person upon whom the act of sodomy is performed.

A perpetual drunkard

The person who hits his parents so much so that they appeal for help.

The person who harms his neighbours so much so that they curse him.

The person who commits adultery with his neighbour's wife." (Ibn Katheer: vol.5, pg.458)

Protective actions

How many people are there who know that their actions are forbidden yet they are too weak to abstain from it. For example, look at those who smoke cigarettes. In reality, we find most of them knowing the harms of smoking. Despite this if you address any smoker and remind him of its harms he will reply to you that he knows all this very well and desires to free himself of this "killer friend" but yet he is unable to do so. Why? Because he does not possess a firm intention by means of which he will be able to abandon this bad habit. For this reason if a person reads all the books on bad habits and comes to know of all the means which will free him from these bad habits but he does not possess a strong intention nor a firm will then he will not progress a step forward. Normally, the natural desire in man remains stable as long as it is not exposed to those scenes and sounds which incite it. When it finds a stimulating factor - whether sound or picture it is incited. At such an instance a person is forced to give practical expression to his desire. Therefore, it is necessary upon all of us to make an effort to develop our intentions, strengthen our resolutions and build our minds and souls by observing the following points:

To strive to acquire good character. Good character like knowledge, tolerance, patience are such that it is within a person's scope to acquire. Rasoolillah(SAW) has said:
"The person who seeks chastity, Allah (SWT) keeps him chaste. The person who seeks independence, Allah (SWT) makes him independent and the person who is patient Allah (SWT) grants him patience."


When a servant burdens himself with a firm intention and he strives to acquire it, it becomes his nature and character. Allah (SWT) says: "And those who strive in Our Way We will definitely guide them to Our Paths."

To inculcate good character gradually. Good character is not acquired all at once or by a little effort. To acquire good character it is necessary for a person to practice upon it gradually until it becomes his nature which he can do without any strain or inconvenience.

A person should realize the Greatness, Loftiness, Oneness and Independence of Allah (SWT). He should not rely on his own strength and power. He should rely only on Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) says:
"Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. And Allah (SWT) loves those who put their trust (in Him)."


The person who recognizes Allah (SWT) more will fear Him more. A person should develop within himself the Fear of Allah because this is the strongest means whereby he could oppose his desire. Allah (SWT) says:
"And as for him who feared to stand before his Lord and restrained his soul from lust, verily Jannah will be his abode." (Surah Al Naazi'aat: verse 40 & 41)


When the Fear of the Exalted is found in the heart of a person, forbidden desires are burnt and the perpetration of sin is stopped.

A person should increase his firm determination by abandoning comfort in some permissible matters so that his nafs could be strengthened in abandoning the prohibited things. For example, to strengthen one's determination, abstain from excessive soft-drinks, tea, sleeping etc. In this manner a person will become strong enough to abandon that which is more difficult. With regards to this a poet says:The nafs is like an infant, if you leave it, it will grow up with the love of suckling and if you wean it (accustom it to food other than it's mother's milk) it will abstain. Can we ever imagine a sahaba renting the latest hit from Blockbuster Videos, or listening to music with alluring lyrics at high volume?

Consider the lofty examples of the Saaliheen and Anbiya, for example, the incident of the Nabi of Allah, Yousuf (AS). It is an amazing and strange incident. All the means and requirements of temptation which had not gathered for anyone before, gathered for Yousuf (AS). He was an extremely handsome young slave who was still a bachelor. She (Zuleikha) was a lady of beauty and dignity. Yousuf (AS) was living in her house, etc. Despite all this Yousuf (AS) preferred the Pleasure and Fear of Allah (SWT) over all these temptations. He chose the prison instead of fornication. Allah (SWT) says: "He (Yousuf 'AS) said: "The prison is more beloved to me than that towards which they call me."

Contemplation - A person drowned in desires should reflect upon his condition after he has fulfilled and satisfied his desire. He should ask himself: Have I found the pleasure and comfort I am searching for after fulfilling my desire? It is the Wisdom of Allah (SWT) that whenever a Muslim fulfils a forbidden desire he feels unhappy, distressed, depressed, miserable and ashamed to such an extent that these feelings compel him to repent. Thus a sinner is afflicted with an unending sadness, misery and disgrace. Ibne Mubarak (RA) has said: "I have seen sins deadening the heart. It's addiction causes disgrace. The abandoning of sins is life for the hearts. It is best for you to oppose your nafs."


Hence an intelligent person will sacrifice temporary pleasure which results in unending misery for eternal pleasure.

Verily du'aa is the most beneficial treatment and it has many benefits especially when a person earnestly makes those du'aas which have been narrated from Rasoolillah(SAW) by sincerely turning towards Allah (SWT) and considering the times of acceptance. Allah (SWT) says: "Call Me and I will answer you." (Surah Ghaafir: verse 80)



Rasoolillah(SAW) said: "Verily your Lord is Modest and Kind. When a slave lifts both his hands towards Allah then He (Allah) feels shy to return them empty-handed and disappointed." (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)



Ibne Qayyim (rh) presents to us the condition of this person in a unique style. He says: "Such a person personally experiences himself to be like that boy who is in the protection of his father. His father provides him with the best of food, drink and clothes. He gives him the best training and causes him to progress to the degree of perfection. One day his father sends him on an errand. An enemy confronts him on his way, kidnaps him and ties his hands behind his back. He then takes him to a foreign land. Here he is inflicted with injuries and tortured. He is treated unlike how his father treated him. Hence from time to time he recalls the kind treatment of his father. Whenever he reflects on his condition it stirs a burning anguish in his heart. He remembers all that which he enjoyed before. His enemy finally decides to kill him. Suddenly he sees his father near him. He runs, throws himself and falls in front of his father seeking his help: "O My Father! Help me! O My father! Help me! O My father! Help me! Look at my condition." His tears roll down his cheeks. He embraces his father and clings to him while his enemy pursues him until he reaches him. The boy still clings and holds his father firmly. Now would you say that the father will hand over his son in this condition to the enemy? Will the father allow the enemy to take his son? Definitely not. So then what is your thought about that Being who is more Merciful on His slave than a father to his son. Allah will most certainly help and protect that slave who advances towards Him, flees from the enemy towards Him, throws himself in sajdah before His Door, rubbing his forehead upon the ground beneath His Door, crying before Him saying: "O My Rabb! O My Rabb! O My Rabb! Have Mercy. None can give shelter except Thee. None can aid except Thee. I am in need of Thee. I asked Thee. I am hopeful of Thee. You are the Place of Refuge and the Protector."

Remember the final abode

Ibne Jawzee (rh) has said: "How excellent is the condition of he who remembers death, prepares for his salvation before he dies, occupies himself in the service of his Master, advances from his worldly possession that which will aid him in the hereafter and inclines towards that house wherein there are eternal bounties and where the honoured are not disgraced.

O You whose life comprises of limited breaths and upon whom there is a recording supervisor! Do not forget death, for death will not forget you. Remember your condition, O Neglectful person! The day you will be turned on the wash stand between the hands of those giving you ghusl. On that day your strength will disappear and your wealth will be snatched away from you. You will be taken away from your friends, prepared for your grave, handed over to the worms and deposited between the graves. Thereafter, a few tears will be shed upon you and you will be forgotten. O Neglectful person! If it were known to us that none will die from amongst us except an unspecified person then too it is incumbent upon us not to allow our tears from ceasing to flow out of fear for death. So how should we behave when we are convinced that none will remain alive from amongst us.

Hence, fear Allah, fear Allah, O Servants of Allah! Prepare for death as if it has come upon you and your wives have become widows, your children orphans and you have been separated from your family and friends."

One Sahaabi was advised by Rasoolillah(SAW): "Remember death excessively, this will remove your inclination for other things." In another Hadeeth it is reported: "Remember death excessively. Whoever remembers death excessively his heart becomes alive and death becomes easy for him."

Rasoolillah(SAW) has said: "Excessively remember the destroyer of pleasures." (Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah)



Ibrahim Taimi (rh) says: "Two things caused the termination of all worldly pleasures in me. Firstly death and secondly the concern of standing in front of Allah (SWT) on the Day of Qiyaamah." (Maut ki Yaad)

Rasulillah (SAW) has explained to us the importance of good, pious, sincere friends. Rasoolillah(SAW) said: "A person is on the religion of his friend. Hence, you should see who you befriend." (Abu Dawood, Tuirmidhi, Ahmad) In another Hadeeth it is reported that a pious companion is better than solitude. (Baihaqi)

Ibn Shujaa` al-Kirmaanee said, “whosoever builds his outward form upon following the Sunnah, his internal form upon perpetual contemplation and awareness of Allaah, he restrains his soul from following desires, he lowers his gaze from the forbidden things and he always eats the lawful things then his perception and insight shall never be wrong.”

The need for Tawbah (Repentance)

No sin should be magnified so much that it creates despair and loss of hope in the forgiveness of Allah (SWT) nor should it be treated so lightly that there is no tawbah nor any regret. Look at the Mercy of the Being Who is most Merciful of those who show mercy. A person continuously commits a sin and as soon as he repents he is forgiven and he becomes the beloved of Allah (SWT). It is reported in the Hadeeth that Rasulillah (SAW) said: "The person who repents from sin is the beloved of Allah and he becomes like those who have not committed any sin." (Ibne Majah)

However, it is necessary that the tawbah be a sincere one. Sincere tawbah consists of three essential parts.

• Firstly, a person should feel ashamed of the sin he committed. It has been mentioned in the hadeeth: "To feel ashamed is tawbah."
  
  

• Secondly, to immediately discard the sin committed and to resolve on abstaining from it in future.
  
  

• Thirdly, to make amends, to compensate for the sin. If a person makes tawbah in this manner he becomes a favourite of Allah (SWT) despite the type or number of sins he committed.
  
  

Ibne Jauzi (rh) says: "By the Oath of Allah, a person's thirst to commit a sin will only be quenched when, despite having the ardent desire and capability to do it, realises that Allah (SWT) is looking at him, feels ashamed and, consequently, discards the sin."

Source

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:


"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:

Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,

Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."

[Ahmad]

Why are you Muslim?

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Why are you Muslim?

‘Why are you Muslim?’ It may sound like an obvious question, but often many of us don’t have a clear answer to it. I remember being asked this question by my elder brother when I was fourteen years of age, my initial answer was ‘Well, our family is Muslim’, his reply to this made me think, he said, ‘If your family were Hindu or Christian, would you be as well?’. I replied with a strong ‘No, Islam is the truth’, the discussion that followed made me question the basis of my life and changed my life for ever. He triggered me to think about how to prove that Islam is the truth rather than just believing it emotionally or blindly. In fact Allah (swt) has condemned people for imitating their forefathers and adopting their belief without clear evidence.



In the Holy Qur’an, He (swt) says:



“And verily guess is no substitute for the truth.” [TMQ 53:28]



“They have no (certain) knowledge. They follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not (‘Isa).” [TMQ 4:157]



"These are nothing but names which you have devised, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow nothing but conjecture and what their Nafs desire. Even though there has already come to them the Guidance from their Rabb" [TMQ 53:23]



"Do you have Ilm (knowledge) for that which you claim so that you provide us with? You follow nothing but conjecture (Zann)." [TMQ 6:148]



The followers of other religions have no decisive proof for their belief, therefore they believe in their religions emotionally or through imitation. Some of them think that you just have to have faith without clear proof. However when it comes to normal things in life people apply a lot of thought such as buying a car, house, choosing a University course or which bank to join, so how can it be that when it comes to the most important questions about life; which define the purpose of our lives that we should just have ‘faith’ without being convinced absolutely.



It is therefore vital for a Muslim to believe in the existence of Allah (swt) without any doubt whatsoever and to believe in the Prophethood of Muhammad (saw) and that the Qur’an is the final revelation sent by Allah (swt) to humanity. Islam is unlike all the other religions as it has a decisive proof that convinces the mind.



Proof of the existence of God



Let us begin by discussing the proof of the existence of Allah (swt). Although we are taught theories regarding the origin of the Universe and origin of the Man such as the big bang theory and the theory of evolution, we should realise that they contradict the clear reality which everyone can sense.



The fundamental proof that God exists is that everything that we sense around us whether it is the mountains, the trees, the sun, the moon, the stars or animals and fellow human beings are limited things and are not eternal. By limited we mean that they have restrictions, a starting point and an ending point, and they have definable attributes i.e. they are all finite. Human beings are born and die. There is no-one alive who will not die. During their life span, they will grow to a certain height, weight and volume.



It is true that there are differences between the things that exist in the Universe however all of them share the quality of being limited and finite, the earth may be huge but it still has a certain shape, weight, volume by which it is limited, this applies to all planets, stars, solar systems and galaxies. Even though a galaxy may look huge to us as the earth looks huge to us and it is not eternal. Even if all of the galaxies and elements of the Universe are added together they do not become unlimited and therefore require an origin. No scientist could ever prove using hard facts that the universe has no bounds. In fact when they say that the universe arose from the Big Bang and is expanding they inherently admit it is finite in size, otherwise it could not expand! There is nothing in reality which is unlimited. No matter how hard we try, we are unable to find anything unlimited around us. All we can perceive is finite and limited.



It is a simple principle that something cannot come from nothing, therefore, where did the Universe come from? It cannot simply exist without having any cause as this contradicts the clear reality which everyone can sense, for example, if we see a car no one would ever think that it simply exists without any manufacturer, this can be applied to anything around us. The following example demonstrates this point well.



Imam Abu Hanifa was once asked by an atheist, "Is there any proof that God exists?" he replied, "Forget it! At the moment, I am busy thinking about this ship.People tell me there is a big ship; it contains different goods on board. There is no one to steer it, no one maintaining it. Yet, this ship keeps going back and forth; it even traverses big waves on the oceans; it stops at the locations that it is supposed to stop at; it continues in the direction that it is supposed to head. This ship has no captain and no one planning its trips." The atheist who posed the question interrupted and exclaimed, "What kind of strange and silly thought is this? How can any intelligent person think that some thing like this can occur?"



Imam Abu Hanifa said, "I feel sorry about your state! You cannot imagine one ship running without some one looking after its affairs. Yet you think that for this whole world, which runs exactly and precisely, there is no one who looks after it, and no one owns it."



The attribute of everything around us is that they are all needy and dependent in order to continue existing. They are not self-sustaining or independent. Man has needs he has to satisfy in order to survive. He has organic needs for example he must eat and drink if he is to survive. If he does not he will die. We see the need and dependency in plants and animals. They depend on other parts of the food chain for their existence. The water cycle is dependent on the sun, which is dependent on the laws of the galaxies and of burning mass, and so on... Nothing we can perceive is self-subsistent. So things exist, but do not have the power of existence. They cannot control when they die or when other bodies die. Thus what we see is that everything around us is limited and finite. Everything that is limited and finite is dependant and everything that is dependant is dependant upon something greater than itself. Applying this to everything we see will bring us to a conclusion. If everything in the universe is dependant because it has not the power of being in existence on its own accord, and is also finite and limited, then what is everything dependant upon for its existence? It must be an unlimited and independent creator.



Today the various theories that exist about the origin of the Universe such as the ‘Big bang theory’, ‘Big bang – Big crunch theory’ or ‘dialectic materialism’ they contradict the simple fact of the need for an unlimited creator.



One example that highlights this is that of the origin of life. Living things like plants, animals and human beings are different from inanimate or dead things as they have certain features such as independent growth, motion and reproduction. If people believe that the Universe has existed forever or that it evolved from single blast etc, this means that they believe that life also evolved from inanimate or dead matter such as gases, liquids or solids. If this is the case, then they should be able to show us one example at least of non-living things producing life, no such example exists. In fact some of them say that this happened by coincidence millions of years ago when certain amino acids and chemicals mixed together to produce the first life. If this is the case, then they should be able to reproduce this ‘coincidence’ with their billions of dollars worth of technology. But they are unable even to produce the most basic life form; an amoeba, which is a single celled organism. What scientists can do is manipulate the attributes that exist within living cells such as in genetic cloning; however this does not mean that they are creating life from dead matter. They are simply manipulating the attributes that Allah (swt) has placed within life, just as we manipulate metal to produce knives and cars.



Therefore, it is a simple fact that this universe must have a creator. The question remains is this creator like the universe i.e. limited or is the creator unlimited and eternal. If the creator was limited like the universe then He would also require a creator as this is the case with every limited thing. So if the universe was caused by a big bang as they claim, what was before the big bang? If it was something else like another universe then what was before that? This chain would continue until there would be a beginning or origin, this could only be caused by something which is uncaused or eternal, which we call God or Allah (swt).



Furthermore the amazing design of every part of the universe, man and life are testament to the fact that Allah (swt) exists. Imam Shaa'fi explained this when he said, "The leaves of Toot (berries) are all but one. Each leaf tastes exactly the same. Insects, honey bees, cows, goats, and deer live off of it. After eating these the insects produce silk; bees produce honey; deer give musk (a special kind of scent), cows and goats deliver off-springs. Is this not clear evidence that one kind of leaf has so many qualities, and who created these qualities? It is the Khaliq (Creator) who we call Allah (swt)) Who is the Inventor and the Creator."



We see that the Qur’an draws attention to everything around us and to conclude from this pondering the existence of Allah. There are hundreds of Qur’anic ayat expressing this meaning. Such as,



إنَّ فِي خَلْقِ ألسَمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ ألَّيْلِ وَالنَّهــارِ لأََيــاتٍ لِأُوْلـــىالْبــَابِ



"Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alteration of night and day, these are indeed signs for men of understanding." [TMQ Al-Imran: 190]



وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلاَفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ



"And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Behold! herein indeed are signs for men of knowledge." [TMQ Ar-Rum: 22]



أَفَلاَ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى الإِبْلِ كَيْفَ خُلِقَتْ وَإِلَى السَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ رُفِعَتْ وَإِلَى الْجِبَالِ كَيْفَ نُصِبَتْ وَإِلَى الأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ



"Will they not look at the camels, how they are created! And the heaven, how it is raised! And the mountains, how they are set up! And the earth, how it is spread!" [TMQ Al-Ghashiya: 17-20]



فَلْيَنظُرِ الإِنسَانُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ خُلِقَ مِن مَّآءٍ دَافِقٍ يَخْرُجُ مِن بَيْنِ الصُّلْبِ وَالتَّرَآئِبِ



"So let man reflect, from what he is created. He is created fom a gushing fluid, that is issued from between the loins and ribs." [TMQ At-Tariq: 5-7]



إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلاَفِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِي تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالأَرْضِ لآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ



“Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and in the ordinance of the winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth are signs (of Allah's sovereignty) for people who have sense." [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 164]



"Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay they have not firm belief." [TMQ At-Tur 35-36]



Proof of the Qur’an



Once we have concluded definitively that Allah (swt) exists the next obvious question that arises is that has Allah (swt) sent a revelation for us to follow. It is clear that we are not able to communicate with God and therefore we are unable to know what He wants us to do, how He wants us to worship Him and how we should solve the problems we face in life. All of these questions would remain unresolved unless there the creator has communicated with us and given us a guidance to follow.



As Muslims we believe that throughout history, there have been messengers and prophets, men sent from the Creator, bringing laws or revelation on how man should conduct his life. They were given miracles which proved to mankind that they had a communication with God and a revelation from Him. A miracle is something which goes against the laws of nature which is impossible for anyone else to do; by miracles the Prophet’s were able to prove their direct relationship with God. For example prophet Musa (as) had a stick which parted the Red Sea, Prophet Isa (as) had the ability to cure the sick by just touching them.



But how do we know if these messengers existed? The miracles performed by the above prophets were only miracles for that specific period of time. But how do we know that they were not just legends or fables? So what miracle do we have right now to convince us and guide us through our lives?



The Qur’an itself is the main miracle that the Prophet (saw) brought which is different to the physical miracles of the other Prophet’s as they were limited to their times only. The Qur’an is an intellectual miracle that proves Islam. It was revealed to Muhammad (saw) in the 6th Century, it exists today and has been revealed for all times.



It is an established fact that the Qur’an was proclaimed by Muhammad (saw) in Arabia over fourteen hundred years ago. In order for us to prove decisively that it is from Allah (swt), we must first consider the possible sources of the Qur’an and then eliminate these to arrive at its true origin.



The only possible sources for the Qur’an are:



a) The Arabs

b) Muhammad (saw) himself

c) Allah (swt)



At the time it was revealed, the pagan Arabs were deeply into poetry. It was an indication of nobility in society. People used to go to the desert for days just to write poetry. The Arabic language has great fluidity and depth of expression, so it was held high in esteem by the Arabs. Allah (swt) in the Qur’an challenged the Arabs to produce something comparable to it in language and they failed to do so.



Initially Allah (swt) challenged them to produce ten chapters (surah’s) similar to it:



"They may say: He forged it (the Qur’an). Say: "Bring you then ten forged surah (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth!" [TMQ 11:13]



They failed to do so. Allah (swt) then reduced the challenge to something that at first glance may sound easy, He (swt) said:



“If you are in doubt of what we have revealed to our messenger, then produce one chapter like it. Call upon all your helpers, besides Allah, if you are truthful” [TMQ 2:23]



The smallest chapter in the Qur’an, Surah al-Kauthar is only three sentences long, surely someone in history must have matched this challenge? The Arabs at the time of Muhammad (saw) failed to do so, although they were the best in the Arabic language. Furthermore no piece of Arabic literature before them or after them until today has even come close to matching the language of the Qur’an.



For non-Arabs sometimes this may be difficult to perceive as they do not appreciate the language of the Qur’an directly. However, everyone can agree that any piece of literature written by human beings can be matched; people can copy its style and produce something comparable to it in quality. If we look at great English authors like Shakespear no one would claim that they were Prophet’s and that their works are miraculous in nature. Even though they may have been geniuses in language, people can easily write something similar in excellence to three sentences from their books. Despite having the Arabic language, its letters, grammar, syntax and dictionaries available today, the Arabic linguists cannot construct any piece of language that is comparable to the Qur’an. Therefore, it is impossible that the Qur’an was written by any of the Arabs.



It is also inconceivable that the Qur’an is the speech of Muhammad (saw). After all he was one of the Arabs. Also, whatever level of genius people may assign to him, he was still a human being and one of his tribe and nation. Since the Arabs failed to bring the like of the Qur’an, this equally applies to Muhammad (saw). Moreover, Muhammad (saw) has left saheeh ahaadeeth (sound narrations) and mutawaatir ahaadeeth (definitive narrations) whose authenticity is beyond doubt. If any of these ahaadeeth were to be compared with any verse of the Qur'an, there would be no similarity between them in style. He (saw) used to utter the revealed verse and say the hadeeth at the same time and yet there is a difference between them in style. Whenever any man attempts to diversify his speech, it will remain similar in style, because it is a part of him. Since there is no similarity between the hadeeth and the verse in style, the Qur'an is absolutely not Muhammad’s speech. It is important to point out that none of the Arabs, who despised Muhammad (saw), particularly at that time, were the most acquainted with the styles of Arabic speech yet never claimed that the Qur’an was Muhammad’s (saw) speech, or even similar to his speech.



Since it is proved that the Qur'an is neither the speech of the Arabs nor the speech of Muhammad (saw), it is definitely the speech of Allah as this is the only rational possibility we are left with.



The Qur’anic challenge is unique because the Creator, Allah (swt), pushes man to use his ability to undermine the authenticity of the Qur’an. It is such a profound yet simple challenge. Imagine throughout the history of Islam, all her enemies needed to defeat this challenge to destroy the whole basis of Islam. Yet not one, non-Muslim Arab or non-Arab has been able to do this even though all the tools of the Arabic language are at their disposal. The Western government’s hatred of Islam is well known. All they have to do in order to defeat Islam and to make over one billion Muslims apostatise from it, is not to spend billions of dollars in invading Afghanistan, Iraq and launching a mythical ‘war on terror’. They simply have to produce one chapter similar to the Qur’an.



To this day Muslim and non-Muslim scholars have not been able to find any contradiction or mistake in the Qur’an. Moreover, if one was to compare word by word a copy of the Qur’an published today to one of the first copies of the Qur’an available then one would find that not a single word has been omitted or added. Copies of the Qur’an dating back to the first century of Islam can be found in Istanbul and Tashkent. Allah (swt) says:



"Do they not ponder about the Qur’an? If it had come from God they would surely have found therein much contradictions." [T.M.Q 4:82]



There are many texts available today claiming divine status from God, like the Bible of the Christians and the Torah of the Jews etc. However, they have no proof that they have been revealed by God, if they are not miraculous in nature then there is no reason to believe in them.



As Muslims we believe that Allah (swt) revealed different books through history such as the original Injeel (Bible) and Torah, Allah (swt) informed us of this in the Qur’an this is why we believe these. However, we have also been informed that these books have been altered and therefore the versions that exist today are not that which was revealed by Allah (swt). Besides this, the Qur’an is the final revelation from Allah (swt) which abrogates all others.



Allah (swt) says, "Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to Allah (in Islam)." [TMQ Al-Baqarah:136]



Once we have established through rational proof that Allah (Swt) exists and that the Qur’an is the Word of Allah, we must believe in everything that the Qur’an informs us of and commands us with, whether we can perceive them or not. Therefore, we must have Iman (belief) in the Day of Resurrection, in paradise (jannah) and hell, in reckoning and punishment, in angels, in jinn, in Shayaateen and all others that the Qur'an or hadeeth mutawaatir (definitive narrations) have mentioned. To believe in these things is therefore not irrational just because we cannot see them or sense them physically as we have conclusively proved the Qur’an being from Allah (swt) which informs us about all of these.




يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ آمِنُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَابِ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ وَالْكِتَابِ الَّذِي أَنَزلَ مِن قَبْلُ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلاَلاً بَعِيداً



"O you who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger, and the Book which He sent to His Messenger and the Book which He sent to those before (him). Any who denies Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Day of Judgement, has gone far, far astray." [An-Nisa: 136]



Once the Iman in Allah, His Messenger and the Qur’an has been proven, every Muslim is obliged to believe in the Islamic Shari’ah as a whole. We cannot pick and choose as we like. As the Shariah was revealed in the glorious Qur'an, and the Messenger (saw) conveyed it. If someone disbelieves in this he would be a (disbeliever) Kafir. Therefore, it is disbelief (Kufr) to deny the shariah rules as a whole, or any definite detailed rule amongst them. This is the case whether these ahkam (rules) are connected with worships (ibadaat), transactions (mu'amalaat), punishments (uqoobat), food, etc. So the rejection of the verse:



وَأَقِيمُواْ الصَّلاَةَ



"So establish regular prayer" [Al-Baqarah: 43]



Is the same as rejecting the following verses:



وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا



"But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury," [Al-Baqarah: 275]



وَالسَّارِقُ وَالسَّارِقَةُ فَاقْطَعُواْ أَيْدِيَهُمَا



"As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands," [Al-Ma’idah: 38]



حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالْدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ



"Forbidden to you (for food) are dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which has been invoked the name of any other than Allah." [Al-Ma’idah: 3]



We must completely surrender to all the rules revealed by Allah (swt) whether we see rational reasons for them or not.



فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجاً مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً



"But no, by your Lord, they can have no (real) faith, until they make you judge in all the disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept them with the fullest submission." [An-Nisa: 65]



Abu Ismael al-Beirawi

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:



"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:

Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,

Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."

[Ahmad]

Glad Tidings for the Strangers

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim



In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Glad Tidings for the Strangers



Jamaal al-Deen Zarabozo

Allaah says in the Qur'aan



"And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly". (Yusuf, 103)




Allaah also says,




"But most of mankind refuses [the truth and accepts nothing] but disbelief"
(al-Isra, 89)




In yet another verse, Allaah states,




"Indeed, We have brought the Truth to you
but most of them have a hatred for the Truth" (al-Zukhruf, 78)




In these verses and, in fact, in numerous other places in the Qur'aan, Allaah has told us that the majority of mankind refuses to follow the truth [see also Ghafir 61, Yusuf 106, al-Nahl 83, al-Shuara 8, 67, 103, 121, and 223]. Indeed, a hadith in Sahih Muslim described that of all of mankind, nine hundred and ninety nine out of every one thousand will be in the Hellfire.




This means that the true believers will always be in the minority. As they look around themselves, they will see the majority of mankind turning their backs on the teachings and guidance of Allaah. They prefer disbelief and disobedience to faith and obedience to Allaah.




The believer will look like a stranger in their midst. His beliefs, actions and way of life will be completely different from theirs. The disbelievers may even do their best to make him feel like a stranger, someone who does not belong, someone with strange ideas and practices. They may be ridiculed. Psychological pressures may be put upon them. The media may attack them and so forth.




For many Muslims, al-Hamdulillaah, this kind of strangeness is easy to withstand. This is because the believer will feel "proud" to be different from the disbelievers. That is, he will known and realise that he wants to be different from the disbelievers who have turned their back on their Lord. He will feel happy that Allaah has guided him to the straight path and He has allowed all those others to stray. He will feel the dignity of Islaam. He will feel the honour of being a Muslim. He will feel honoured to be among the strangers in the midst of the disbelievers. This kind of strangeness he can withstand when he recognises the truth of Islaam and the importance of following the way of the believers. Indeed, he will even seek to distance himself further from the disbelievers and their ungodly ways. He will not want to have anything to do with their kufr and jaahiliyyah.




Yet there is another form of "strangeness". This strangeness is much more dangerous and threatening to the faith and beliefs of a Muslim. This is the strangeness that occurs while the person is among themselves - among those people who claim to be believing in Allaah and following His Path. This kind of strangeness can be much more harmful because it can confuse the Muslim. This strangeness occurs among those people who are supposed to be his brothers and sisters in Islaam. It might even lead him to ask himself, "Aren't we all Muslims? Why is my practice so much different than theirs? Why do they consider me as a stranger or outsider?" Shaytan then might convince him to abandon the path he was following and to fall in with the masses and their actions.




This very important "strangeness" is the strangeness described by the Prophet (saw) in a number of his hadith.




The Prophet (saw) said "Islaam began as something strange and it will revert to how it began as something strange. So glad tidings of Paradise (1) to the strangers"




The people asked, "Who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?" He answered, "Those who are pious and righteous when the people have become evil." (Ahmad, ibn Hibban and others, sahih due to supporting evidences, see Badr al-Badr's footnotes to Abu Bakr al-Ajari, Kitaab al-Ghurabaa (Kuwait: Dar al-Khulata li-Kitaab al-Islaami, 1983) pp.16-18)




In another narration, after the Prophet (saw) gave the good tidings to the strangers and he was asked who they were, he answered,




"A small group of pious people among a large group of evil people. Those who disobey them [disobey the pious people] are more than those who obey them". [Ahmad, at-Tabarani, and others. After a lengthy discussion al-Awdah concludes that this hadith is hasan see Salman al-Awdah, Al-Ghuraba al-Awaloon, al-Damam: Dar ibn al-Jawzi, 1989, pp.37-39)




There is no question that Islaam has become something strange today. Those who are truly sticking to the Qur'aan, the sunnah of the Prophet (saw) and the practices of the best generations are few indeed in comparison to the vast number of Muslims that exist.




It must be realised by all that there is only one Islaam. That is the Islaam of the Qur'aan and Sunnah. That is the Islaam that was practised and preached by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and passed on to his Companions and their Followers. This is one true Islaam. Allaah says,




"And verily this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths,
for they will separate you away from His Path" (al-Anaam, 153)




Its validity and correctness will last until the Day of Judgement.




Yet how many people today are following that true Islaam?




There is a phenomena occurring in this country and elsewhere throughout the world. Some speakers and Islaamic groups are presenting what they claim to be the true Islaam. Among the many things they are saying is that there is no Jihaad in Islaam, the Christians and Jews are our brothers and are true believers, Interest in permissible, women do not have to wear hijaab or the hijaab that they must wear is simply something to cover their hair, mixing between men and women is not only permissible but was the sunnah of the Prophet (saw). There are some who claim that it is not actually necessary to follow the commands and guidance of the Qur'aan and Sunnah literally. Islaam is something merely spiritual and has nothing to do with the mundane and political world.




These and many others things are being presented as the true Islaam by many people throughout the world. Perhaps all of you have come across such people. If anyone opposes such ideas and concepts they are immediately labelled "extremists", "fundamentalists", "backwards", and so forth. The one who truly follows the Qur'aan and Sunnah amidst such people will find himself to be an outcast. They will treat him as if he does not know Islaam. They will treat him as if he is the strangest person on earth. They will treat him as if he were a "stranger"!




Islaam has indeed become something strange, as the Prophet (saw) told us it would. Those who live their lives according to the Qur'aan and Sunnah and not according to the whims of the time, specific speakers or groups - are definately in the minority today.




What can be done in such a situation for the person who wishes to follow the Qur'aan and Sunnah, yet he is surrounded by such evil, ignorance and rejection of the clear right path?




One must always remember the great tidings that the Prophet (saw) gave to those who would be in that situation:




"Fa-tooba lil-ghurabaa"




The Prophet (saw) has given the glad tidings of a tree in Paradise for those who have to live as strangers because the people are deviating from the teachings of the Qur'aan and Sunnah. What is the characteristic of this tree in Paradise? The Prophet (saw) explained that also when he said,




"Tuba is a tree in Paradise. The time it takes to transverse it is one hundred years. The clothing of the inhabitants of Paradise are taken from its sheaths." (Ahmad, Ibn Jareer at-Tabari in his Tafsir and Ibn Hibban, hasan according to al-Albaani see Silsilah al-Ahadith al-Sahiha, vol.4, p.639)




This glad tiding of the tree of Tuba for the strangers should make us all wish, strive and aspire to be from among the strangers in this time in which Islaam has truly become strange again.




Therefore we must ask: Who are those strangers, what are their characteristics, and how do we become one of them? From the hadith of the Prophet (saw) it is clear that these praiseworthy "strangers" have two glaring characteristics:




First, they are those people who stick to the Shariah and the way of the Prophet (saw) in the midst of the Muslims. That is, if someone wants to know if he is truly from among the strangers, the first sign is for him to look to see if he is applying the shariah and if he is following in the footsteps of the Prophet (saw). If he finds that he is actually not following the footsteps of the Prophet (saw), if he finds that he is straying from the Shariah and the sunnah for whatever reason and for whatever excuse that he has heard or that he dreams up himself, he must realise that he is not from the praiseworthy strangers. He must realise that he is not one of the people whom the Prophet (saw) had given the glad tidings of Tuba, the tree in Paradise.




Second, the praiseworthy strangers are those who are calling for a return to the true Islaam, the Islaam of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. They are those who are trying to make things right and proper while people are straying from the straight path.




If we can combine these two qualities in ourselves today - when Islaam has become something strange - then, Allaah willing, we will be from among the strangers whom the Prophet (saw) gave glad tidings to. I pray that Allaah makes us all to be among those praiseworthy strangers.




Dear brothers and sisters, we must realise now before it is too late that if we are not from among those strangers who have received those glad tidings from the Prophet (saw) then we are from among a different group of strangers. This is a blameworthy group of strangers. These are those people who are strangers to the truth. These are those people who are strangers to the way of the Qur'aan and Sunnah. These are those people who, when they see people applying the Qur'aan and Sunnah in their midst, they turn away from them and flee from the truth. When they see the true Islaam, they say that it is unacceptable. In many cases, Shaytaan has made them completely blind and strange to the truth.




In reality, these people are also a type of stranger. These people are even strangers to their own souls! It is part of their own nature or fitra to worship Allaah and to recognise Allaah as their Lord. Instead they turn their backs to what is in their own souls and follow a way of life that is alien to themselves. Since they are strangers to their own souls, they will never achieve true happiness in either this life or the Hereafter.




If we are not from the praiseworthy set of strangers, then, in fact, we are from the blameworthy set of strangers. This blameworthy group of strangers may be large in number. They may even have lots of influence and pull. But the reality is that they are strangers to the truth. They are strangers to their own souls. We ask Allaah to save us from falling into their ranks.




We must face facts and be realistic, though. Sometimes it is very difficult to be strong and to remain among the praiseworthy strangers. There are many pressures coming from all around you that try to make you deviate from what you know to be true Islaam to accept the many practices and teachings that are being spread today. The Prophet (saw) also described this situation. He said




"After you there are going to be days of patience. The patience during that time is like the one clutching on to a hot coal" (Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and numerous others. It is hasan due to its supporting evidences. See Salman al-Awdah, Sifaat al-Ghuraba, p. 198, fn. 3)




Indeed you may actually feel like that when you are striving to be among the strangers.




You will face difficulties from your own family - those people closest to you, who you grew up with and who may be the last people in the world that you wish to hurt. Your family may not be from the praiseworthy strangers and they will put pressure upon you not to be from among them also. They will tell you not to mix or practice like those "extremists" but to be just like them - taken Islaam in a way that is not the way of the Prophet (saw). If you and your wife do not mix freely with them, they will question you and pester you until you are almost forced to give in. If you do not party with them or participate in their wrong actions - that they claim are permissible or simply harmless - they may treat you as an outcast and may even stop talking to you. Yes, this kind of pressure might even come from your own family.




Your friends will also put pressure on you. They will make excuses for their behaviour and expect you to go along with them. They might argue that there is nothing wrong with alcohol or drugs, having girlfriends and so forth because everyone today is doing it and Allaah is Most-Forgiving and Most Merciful. You might find all of your Muslim colleagues buying houses on interest and encouraging you to do the same. You might even have to come to a point where you will have to choose between keeping your friends and following what you can clearly see is the truth. Then if you do make the decision to disassociate yourselves from them due to their evil, they will begin to backbite you and spread evil lies about you. This is all part of the plot of Satan, who uses his followers to keep people from the straight path and from being praiseworthy strangers.




What is even worse is that there are some speakers and "scholars" who are presenting a "Islaam" that is foreign to the Islaam of the Prophet (saw) and his Companions. How can you deal and discuss with others when they answer, "So and so shaikh, Imaam or scholar said it is Ok. Do you have more knowledge than him?" This way they trick you into either saying you do have more knowledge - thus being arrogant - or accepting what the scholar says although you know it is clearly wrong according to the teachings of the shariah.




Many Muslims who stick to the Qur'aan and Sunnah today begin to get the feeling that they are the only ones who think in the manner that they do. They even begin to ask themselves, "Am I weird? Is there something wrong with me? Am I not understanding Islaam correctly? Perhaps Islaam is meant to be easy and I should just go with the flow". They feel isolated. They feel that there is no one who thinks in the same way they do. They begin to think that there must be something wrong with them. No there is nothing wrong with them! But they are strangers and they know that they cannot just go with the masses.




When you know for certain that you are applying the Qur'aan and Sunnah correctly, and that the others are actually not applying them, and you begin to ask yourselves these questions, you should rejoice. You have now become one of the strangers, Allaah willing. Know and remember that it is good to be stranger in times when Islaam has become something strange. Keep in mind the tidings from the Prophet (saw)




"The tree in Paradise is for the strangers".




When many people around you are following false paths and putting pressure on you to do likewise, remember that you are responsible only for your own soul and those that stray will not be able to harm you if you stick to the straight path. Allaah says in the Qur'aan,




"O you who believe, take care of your own selves.
No hurt can come to you from those who are in error if you follow the right guidance." (al-Maidah, 105)




Remember, also, that those who stray also will not be able to help you in the Hereafter if you decide to stray with them.




Remember also the reward for being patient during such times. I mentioned a portion of a hadith of the Prophet (saw) earlier. Here it is in its entirety:




"After you there are going to be days of patience. The patience during that time is like the one clutching on to a hot coal. The one who works and does good deeds during that time will receive the reward of fifty men who do deeds similar to him".




They asked, "O Messenger of Allaah, fifty people of them [at that time]?" He answered,




"The reward of fifty from among you [the Companions]" (2)




Allaah willing, by sticking and adhering to the Qur'aan and Sunnah in these days - when Islaam has become strange, when people are following their own opinions or the opinions of others in preference to the Qur'aan and Sunnah, when people are chasing after this world and forgetting about the Hereafter - those people who try to oppose you will not be able to harm you in any way. You will be from among those Muslims whom the Prophet (saw) described in the following hadith:




"A group of my nation will always remain truimphant on the right path and continue to be truimphant (against their opponents). He who deserts them shall not be able to do them any harm. They will remain in this position until Allaah's Command (the day of Judgement) is executed". (Muslim)




Your loneliness and being a stranger in this life will be replaced by being with the best companions in the Hereafter. In the Hereafter, Allaah willing, you will be united with the Prophets, the martyrs, the sincere and the righteous - those upon whom Allaah has bestowed His grave. You suffered as a stranger in this world for the sake of Allaah and Allaah will replace your suffering with the best of companions in the Hereafter.




Do not despair! Do not be sad! Do not worry about those people who are the strangers to the truth. As long as you are certain that you are truly following the footsteps of the Prophet (saw) and his Companions, know that you are on the Straight Path. Those around you who have strayed are strangers to the truth and have no glad tidings to look forward to. You, on the other hand, have the glad tidings of the Prophet (saw):




"Tuba [the tree in Paradise] is for the Strangers"






Footnotes



(1) The Prophet (saw) in this hadith literally stated that tuba is for the strangers. Tuba is the name of a tree in Paradise. Hence the Prophet (saw) was giving the glad tidings of Paradise to the strangers.



(2) Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and numerous others. It is hasan due to its supporting evidences. See Salman al-Awdah, Sifaat al-Ghuraba, p.198, fn.3. It is an authentic hadith. However, note that there is a difference between "reward" (ajr), and "merit" (fadhl). The "merit" of the Companions will not be reached by anyone of the later generations.



IslamicAwakening.com

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:



"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:

Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,

Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."

[Ahmad]